Minutes of a meeting of the SPG held in the Gosforth Hotel at 8pm
on Monday the 13th of July 2015.

Attendance.
Those present were Adrian Morley (Webmaster), David Appleton, Brian Angus, Tom Ashcroft, Chris Wright, Phil Sloan and David Robinson. Apologies were received from James Henry who was celebrating Yvonne's success in graduating with an advanced nursing degree (BSc Hons (1st class) in Nursing Practice Development), and from Mary-Clare who was nursing a cold.

Discussion (much fiction laced with the truth.)

1) Phil’s Success
Phil modestly announced that together with Professor Andy Hall he had been awarded a very substantial grant to develop a “node” in Newcastle for the development of Molecular Pathology regionally, one of a small number in the country. Members were unanimous in congratulating him on his achievement. Members were also pleased to note that membership of the SPG had resulted in such a great advancement of his career.

2) Former Colleagues
Nick Smith and Rob Pitcher were recalled with regard. Nick was particularly remembered for a presentation he gave in the RVI after a visit to Australia in which he showed autopsy histology from a swimmer who had been attacked by a marauding jelly fish; the sting tentacles could be clearly seen penetrating the epidermis. Rob became a Consultant in Taunton, and at one time was asked to mediate between warring paediatric Pathologists in another hospital. Apparently this was a serious challenge. The outcome is not known.

3) Escape to an Atoll
Back on the Antipodean theme, Ardian related that whilst attending an Academic Conference in Cairns he went on one of the usual jaunts to a local attraction to get away from the tedium of endless lectures and overzealous presenters. The trip was to an isolated and uninhabited Atoll off the coast but Adrian found the island populated by a large group of visiting pathologists, all keen to discuss their work.

4) Bunk Preference (upper or lower?)
On their trip to the Galapagos, Chris and Kath shared a cramped cabin with bunks. Debate was held on whether it was preferable to be on the upper or lower bunk when choppy seas were being encountered. There seemed to be agreement amongst members that top was best,  but on reflection, this note-taker believes that this was based on spurious interpretation of the laws of physics.


5) More on Travelling
Adrian recalled that when travelling to meetings by sleeper train he was always provided with a chamber pot in his cabin reflecting his first class travel status, whilst lower class travellers had to creep along the corridor to a communal facility to fulfill their needs.

6) New Cellular Pathology Consultant Offices.
Phil commented on the continuing failure to reach an agreement between the Trust (represented by Mr Len Fenwick) and the PFI providers regarding provision of new Consultant offices. The potential financial folly of PFI was once again agreed.

7) Nick Wright’s Legendary Cricketing Prowess
The Ashes underway, for some reason the cricketing prowess (if any) of Nick Wright was discussed. However it appears that at one match, furious at not being chosen to bowl early, when finally given the ball, took 10 wickets in as many overs.

8) Lugano, Planning Permission and Croquet
One member (can’t remember who) announced that the large housing development by Lugano at Birney Hill, Ponteland had been declined planning permission. This met with general approval by members. David related how a proposed croquet lawn in South Shields was denied planning permission as it would have been out of character with the surrounding urban environment.

9) Silence
A period of silence ensued for no particular reason.

10) Birdsong and Other Output
The pleasure and relaxation to be derived from listening to birdsong was discussed. Some members particularly enjoyed the songs of the blackbird but Chris (resident bird enthusiast) said that such songs were usually the work of the Song Thrush. Chris also described the particularly impressive sound made by the Snipe, created not vocally but by the vibration of its tail. Still on the ornithological theme, Adrian related how birds had gorged on the fruit of his Cherry tree, the resulting stone laden output being deposited in abundance on his car to the detriment of his paintwork.

11) Becks Beer
Once again we amused ourselves by reading the alcohol warning (“Drink Aware”) on the bottles of Becks Beer which several members were “responsibly” consuming. One member commented that the only likely health issue with this alcohol free beer was water intoxication.

12) Wimbledon and Grunting
Wimbledon having just come to an end, we discussed the awful practice of grunting, noting that Federer was silent when he played his wonderful shots, and commenting that this practice was unsportsmanlike as the noise would likely put opponents off the game.


13) Recorder Concert   
David recalled an interesting concert of recorder music which he had attended in Edinburgh recently. He found one of the instruments used particularly memorable: a four foot long wooden recorder. An example is presented below beside some of its smaller cousins

 

14) Refreshments
Two bacon rolls, one bacon sandwich, one bowl of chips and a packet of Walkers Cheese and Onion crisps were consumed. The speciality beers were excellent as usual.

End and Next Meeting.
The meeting finished rather later than usual at about 10.30 pm.
The next meeting is on Tuesday 11th August 2015

Meeting of the SPG 11 June 2015 8pm Gosforth Hotel

Minutes

Those present were Adrian Morley, Brian Angus, Chris Wright Tom Ashcroft and James Henry. Apologies were received from Phil Sloan and David Appleton who was in Scotland on Croquet business.

Members were pleased to note that Jean Morley was continuing to make good progress, getting about well  and indeed visiting Margaret Ashcroft as we spoke.

The reason behind the particular flow of conversation was never (as usual) clear to this note taker, but it wandered as widely as ever.

Chris described his recent enjoyable trip with Kath to see their son Tom in Ecuador where he is teaching. They had a holiday sailing in the Galapagos, travelling between islands on a small boat, meeting choppy seas on the way. The wild life was fascinating and Chris is preparing a piece on his spell in the Galapagos for the Contributions Section of the website. Members were amused to hear that Darwin collected many different species of finches from many islands, but put them all in one sack to take home, each bird unlabelled as to origin, so that evolution related scientific research using the birds was impossible. Later scientists had to come to his rescue.

One of Darwin’s rather unimpressive-looking finches, in the process of evolving

 

Some lazy sealions completely ignore Chris’s boat lying off-shore

S
James described his latest yachting trip in the West of Scotland. A trip to the Northern Outer Hebrides was planned, but the weather confined him and his crew to the Firth of Clyde.

James also reported, that his Department at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QE) had just been inspected by the HTA and that he found the officers helpful and advisory, in contrast to CPA inspection in which non compliance was recorded
without any advice on resolution. James also reported on the disastrous effect of the Human Tissue Act on the hospital PM rate at the QE, reducing numbers to one or two a year. Members seemed to agree this was not good for patient care.

Bankers pay and taxation were then discussed. Chris expressed incredulity at one businessman (Martin Sorrell) being paid £43million a year, wondered what he could possibly spend it on, and followed up with the view that taxation on such absurd sums should be punitive. Brian proposed that taxation should be proportionate rather than progressive. This was voted down by members by disdainful stony silence.

We discussed the rehabilitation of Vicky Price, now a broadcaster, and that her former husband would probably have spared himself a spell behind bars by owning up when first challenged. (Hell hath no fury as a woman scorned (note takers comment))

The origin of the rivalry between Tynesiders and Wearsiders (especially Sunderlanders or “Makems”) was discussed. Adrian related a theory he had heard that the rivalry harked back to the time of Oliver Cromwell, who, as a Parliamentarian ordered the coal industry of Tyneside (Royalists loyal to the King) to be closed in favour of Wearside (Loyal to the Parliamentarian side), creating the enduring animosity.

We discussed the genealogical research programme “Who do you think you are”. Adrian referred to one programme on the ancestors of Jeremy Clarkson, the “Top Gear” presenter of yore, who had made a fortune from invention of the Kilner jar. Sadly none of the wealth cascaded down to poor Jeremy, who now lives in poverty.

For an inexplicable reason we moved on to the subject of “drones” which can apparently be bought for two or three hundred pounds. Toy relatives of the device (usually Xmas presents) are much cheaper but, according to Adrian, have inbuilt devices to make them uncontrollable by adults, whilst being easily guided by the youngest child.

Adrian described a job he had as a student delivering crates of beer to pubs. In addition to his weekly wage he was paid three bottles of beer per shift, and he remembers this perk fondly to this day. He believed that the beer gift was to reduce the likelihood of theft of the precious product. Theft would result in instant dismissal.

Sport was the next topic starting with the appointment of Steve McLaren as head Coach of Newcastle United. Some members (perhaps Chris) expressed the view that it might not have been a good idea to appoint a man who had just been sacked by Derby County FC. Chris also lamented the unrelenting commercialisation of football and pointed out the potential greater enjoyment by supporting a smaller club.

The speciality beers were excellent, and bacon rolls crisps and a bowl of chips were consumed. On polishing off his bowl Adrian remarked how the chips were a special treat as he did not get them at home; the Morleys apparently do not have a deep fat fryer. This is because some years ago their dog gained access to their fryer (presumably when cool) and drank the contents in entirety, resulting in rapid gastrointestinal transport and very abundant and uncontrolled gut output lasting many days.

The meeting closed at 10pm as usual.  The next meeting is scheduled for Mon 13 July.

PS On observing Brian taking copious notes Tom commented “Minutes should be minutes not hours”. Yes, Brian fears he has failed again in his quest for succinctness.

PPS At the meeting Brian had promised a comprehensive defence of predatory capitalism but has failed to supply this,(or perhaps it was redacted by Chris?)

Present (and correct) at the Gosforth Hotel at 8pm on 12th February 2015 were Brian Angus, David Appleton, Tom Ashcroft, James Henry and David & Mary-Clare Robinson. Apologies were received from Adrian Morley (at home looking after Jean) and Chris Wright (at an ornithological gathering). Clive Bloxham had told Brian that he intended to put in an appearance but he did not arrive.

Brian reported that he had spoken to Jean on the phone and she seemed to be responding well to treatment. He also reported that Sir Nick Wright had been in hospital but had now recovered. The meeting resolved that everyone’s best wishes for Jean and Nick be recorded.

The state of pathology in Newcastle and Gateshead was briefly discussed. Brian and Mary-Clare have been moved out of their offices in the RVI. Mary in any case expects to be spending much of her time on a newly acquired allotment. David fears that he might be spending time there too. James offered them the use of a rotary cultivator to help in levelling the ground  for a  greenhouse.

Food arrived to complement the pints (or in Tom’s case half-pint) of Rivet Catcher (bacon rolls for most people and a fairly small breakfast for David A, as he had had a much too calorific one on a previous occasion) and we moved to gain more room for our plates.

David A reported that he had been reading the latest instalment of Stephen Fry’s autobiography. Mary thinks she once danced with him at the Edinburgh Fringe.

Talk turned to members’ experiences of breakdowns, the most spectacular of which was the Robinson’s car going on fire near Loch Lomond. Roadworks provided the next topic: the road outside the Gosforth Hotel is to be altered with loss of many parking spaces and part of the A1 north is to be closed from 8pm to 6am for some weeks. Various strategies for avoiding the relevant section were mooted.

Music and sport usually feature in our conversations, and this one was no exception.

It was agreed that Brian would invite Phil Sloane to attend our next meeting.

Tom’s daughter came to collect him and shortly after, as usual at about 10pm, the meeting closed. The next meeting will be on Monday 16th March.
 

Six SPG stalwarts attended the meeting in the snug of the Gosforth Hotel on Monday 16th March 2015: in order of arrival Mary & David R, Brian, Chris and David A (transported, and later returned home, by Maureen) and Tom (thanks to daughter Katherine). Adrian (at home with Jean) and James (setting exam questions for the RCPath exams) were unable to be present. The meeting expressed its best wishes to Jean and Adrian and its sympathy to James. There was a short discussion of the state of the department and its difficulty in finding a volunteer to be its head.

For some reason which the minutes secretary fails to recollect, two members recalled long car journeys with families to establishments they had assumed to be open, which turned out not to be.

As we were in a licensed establishment it is not too strange that talk turned to brewing and distilling. The meeting was in favour of the continuation of these activities.

The Robinsons showed a photograph of David preparing a base for their allotment greenhouse, strictly controlled as to size and orientation. There are many regulations: one is not allowed a shed, nor a bonfire. Vegetables are permitted.

Nature study consisted of the migratory habits of the blackcap, Hugh Ellis’s continuing interest in butterflies and a display of snowdrops recently photographed by Tom. To resolve any ambiguity in the previous sentence I should make it clear that we have no indication that Hugh is interested in snowdrops. Since the rest of us are, however interested to see the scene which Tom captured, it was suggested that he should send this photograph to the webmaster to brighten up otherwise boring minutes.

David A enthused over a recent public lecture on Handel and mentioned that he had also the previous day attended the Henry Miller memorial concert. The characters of various vice-chancellors and how these have been captured in their King’s Hall portraits were analysed.

The annoying methods charities have of importuning members of the SPG and their elderly neighbours were deplored.

Food, not only the bacon rolls consumed by most of those present, was discussed and it was decided to return to Poon’s (The Gosforth Palace) for our next meal.

Opinions were expressed about various national teams’ performances in the Six Nations rugby tournament and in the cricket world cup. These were not generally flattering.

Tom was collected at 9.30 pm and the rest of us departed at 10. The next meeting will be on Tuesday 15th April. Brian requested that rowdy and disruptive behaviour be kept to a minimum as Professor Philip Sloan has accepted our request that he be present.